Capitals at Kings
THE STORY: By all accounts, Jonathan Quick is having a fine season. The 25-year-old Connecticut native boasts an 18-11-6 mark with a league-best six shutouts - numbers which deserve a tip of the cap. Now, let's consider one interesting statistic: The Kings have mustered just 21 goals in his 17 losses this season. Needless to say, Quick's record would be that much better if his team gave him just a bit more support. Quick hopes his teammates will oblige on Monday when Los Angeles hosts Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. "We have to find a way to score goals. That has kind of been the problem for us all year," Kings captain Dustin Brown said after the team dropped a 1-0 decision to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. "The answer wouldn't be talking about it; we have to figure out a way to get a goal." Scoring would be highly recommended against Washington, which was steamed after it saw its four-game winning streak come to an end with Saturday's 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NHLCA, CSW
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (21-16-2): Ovechkin, who had notched multiple-point games in his last four contests, saw his seven-game point streak come to an end versus San Jose. Washington's captain was without C Nicklas Backstrom and stud D Mike Green in the contest, which may explain why he recorded a minus-3. Backstrom was held out for precautionary reasons as he was experiencing headaches following the elbow he received from Rene Bourque of the Calgary Flames last Tuesday. Green was nursing a right groin strain which had sidelined him for much of the season. Backstrom is expected to play on Monday, while Green will be a game-time decision.
ABOUT THE KINGS (20-15-7): Eight wasn't enough for Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. Darryl Sutter's charges couldn't convert any of their eight power-play opportunities, despite having over 13 1/2 minutes of power-play time. It doesn't look to get much better on Monday, considering Washington has killed off 33 of its last 37 shorthanded situations. Thankfully for Los Angeles, it has killed off its last 34 shorthanded situations and 81 of its last 84. "Our PK has been doing a good job, and our 5-on-5. If we score a goal in the power play, it's a different game," Brown said.
OVERTIME:
1. Capitals RW Joel Ward ended a 25-game goalless drought when he scored on Saturday. Signed to a four-year, $12 million deal in the offseason, Ward has collected just five goals this campaign.
2. Kings C Mike Richards, who leads the team with 13 tallies, is mired in a seven-game goalless streak.